SOFTBALL: Rockmart finds early season success through emotional moment

Its most recent win came Thursday when the Lady Jackets run-ruled Region 7-AA foe Model 13-3 in five innings thanks to a four RBI day from Kadince Oxenreider.

Before that, sophomore Makayla Coleman threw a no-hitter against Gordon Central in a Region 7-AA road game on Tuesday, Aug. 23, that saw the Lady Jackets dominate the host team and win 18-0 in three innings.

However, Rockmart had to gather its composure in its first and, so far, only home game of the season when it hosted Haralson County on Thursday, Aug. 18, as the Lady Jackets found themselves down 6-0 in the middle of the second inning before getting an 11-6 victory.

The game began on an emotional note for Rockmart.

Senior infielder Maddie Owens suffered a season-ending injury during a play on Aug. 15 in a contest at Bremen that was eventually called and rescheduled because of inclement weather.

Owens was put in the starting lineup against Haralson County to start at second in what will be her final game on Rockmart’s home field. She was then substituted prior to the first pitch in a moment where her teammates comforted her before she walked off the field.

Rockmart coach Lindsey Campbell said there was plenty to overcome in the early going of the game.

“We were slow to start, that’s for sure. I think we had to kind of settle in after pulling Maddie out for her injury. It hit the girls really hard. And they got together after that, after those six runs, and said, ‘look, we’ve got to start fighting.’ So they did a good job after they came together,” Campbell said.

Sophomore pitcher Kaylee Huckaby gave up a grand slam in the first inning but went on to shut down the Lady Rebels the rest of the way and striking out 13.

“It’s something that she was probably figuring out as a freshman last year and probably is still figuring out. But she’s doing a little bit better at managing that and just realizing when she needs to settle in. Not losing your composure after that is a big deal,” Campbell said.

Rockmart’s comeback started in the bottom of the second inning as Zori Williams hit a two-out, two-run single to left field. Gracey Arnold followed with an RBI single to cut Haralson County’s lead in half.

Oxenreider then stepped up in the third with the first of back-to-back two-run home runs that pulled the Lady Jackets out ahead for good. Oxenreider, a senior, had minimal playing time last season due to an injury but has been one of Rockmart’s offensive weapons early on this season.

“I’m glad we’re starting off strong. We’ve just got to keep that going. Last year, I felt like we started off strong, and it was almost like we started going through the motions. So we’ve got to keep working together as a team, as a unit, to keep us moving,” Campbell said.

Oxenreider finished 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and five RBIs to go with her two bombs. Arnold was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, Williams was 2-for-3 and Emma Hindmon had an RBI double.

The Lady Jackets went into Thursday’s match at Model with an 8-2 overall record with losses to Class 5A Calhoun and Class 4A Northwest Whitfield as the lone blemishes.

Hindmon, Scott and Oxenreider each had a home run in the region contest, with Scott striking out seven and finishing with three RBIs. Arnold and Williams had two hits each.

Coleman struck out nine batters at Gordon Central as Rockmart used a 10-run second inning to run-rule the host Lady Warriors in Region 7-AA play. Arnold, Emma Scott and Briley King each had two hits for the Lady Jackets.

Rockmart is scheduled to host Fannin County on Tuesday, Aug. 30, and Murray County on Thursday, Sept. 1. Both games start at 5 p.m.